Confined Space Entry Training

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146

University of Arkansas
 Overview of Training
• Identifying Confined Spaces- Permit and
Non-Permit
• Employee Responsibilities
• Hazards
• Entering the Space- What should be done?
 What is a Confined Space?
A space that:
• Is large enough and so configured that an
employee can enter bodily and perform
work;
• Has limited or restricted means of entry or
exit;
• Is not designed for continuous human
occupancy
Examples of Confined Spaces:
lTanks lVaults

lManholes lPipes

lBoilers lTrenches

lFurnaces lTunnels

lSewers lDucts

lSilos lBins

lHoppers lPits
 Permit-Required Confined Space

• A Permit-Required • Contains or has the potential to

Confined Space is a contain a hazardous atmosphere;
confined space that • Contains a material that has the
potential for engulfing an entrant;
has one or more of
the following • Has an internal configuration such
that an entrant could become
characteristics: trapped or asphyxiated; or
• Contains any other serious safety or
health hazard
 Non-Permit Confine Space
• A confined space that does not contain or,
with respect to atmospheric hazards, have
the potential to contain any hazard capable
of causing death or serious physical harm
– Tunnels- normal confined space procedures
are not practical; always use buddy system
and carry a two way radio
 Employee Responsibilities
The entrant is the person who enters a confined space

The attendant is the person who stays with the entrant

outside the confined space, and is responsible for assisting
the entrant in exiting the confined space, and calling for
emergency assistance when required

The safety representative is the person who

evaluates the hazards, prescribes precautions and issues the
Confined Space Entry Permit
 Hazards of Confined Spaces
• Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
• Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
• Flammable Atmospheres
• Toxic Atmospheres
• Temperature Extremes
• Engulfment Hazards
• Noise, Slick/Wet Surfaces, Falling Objects
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.
15 - 19% Decreased ability to work strenuously
Impair coordination. Early symptoms
12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment
10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue
8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea
Unconsciousness. Vomiting
6-8% 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50% fatal
4-5 minutes - possible recovery
4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death
 Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
• Oxygen level above 23%.
• Causes flammable and combustible
materials to burn violently when ignited
• Never use pure oxygen to ventilate
• Never store or place compressed tanks in a
confined space
 Flammable Atmospheres
• Critical Factors:
– Oxygen content in the air
– Presence of a flammable gas, or vapor
– Presence of dust (visibility of 5’ or less)
• Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion
• Typical Ignition Sources:
– Sparking or electric tool
– Welding / cutting operations
– Smoking
 Toxic Atmospheres
• Product stored in a confined space:
• Gases released when cleaning
• Materials absorbed into walls of confined space
• Decomposition of materials in the confined space
• Work performed in a confined space:
• Welding, cutting, brazing, soldering
• Painting, scraping, sanding, degreasing
• Sealing, bonding, melting
• Areas adjacent to a confined space
 Hydrogen Sulfide
• Decomposition of materials
• Rotten egg odor at low concentrations
• Possibly no warning at high concentrations
PPM Effect Time
10 ppm Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 -700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2 - 1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes
 Carbon Monoxide
• Odorless, Colorless Gas
• Combustion By-Product
• Quickly collapse at high concentrations
PPM Effect Time
50 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour
1000-2000 Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hours
1000-2000 Tendency to stagger 1 1/2 Hours
1000-2000 Slight heart palpitation 30 Min.
2000-2500 Unconsciousness 30 Min.
 Temperature Extremes
• Extremely hot or cold temperatures
• Steam cleaning of confined spaces
• Humidity factors
• Work processes inside the confined space
can increase temperature extremes
• Personal protective equipment
 Engulfment Hazards
• Loose, granular materials stored in bins and
hoppers - grain, sand, coal, etc.
• Flooding of confined space
• Water or sewage flow
 Other Hazards
• Noise
• Amplified due to acoustics within the space
• Damaged hearing, affect communication
• Slick / Wet Surfaces
• Slips and falls
• Increased chance of electric shock
• Falling Objects
• Topside openings expose workers inside confined
space to falling objects
Entering a Confined Space
Starts with Testing the
Atmosphere and Filling
out a Permit
 Testing The Atmosphere
• Verify presence of safe work atmosphere
• Test all areas of a confined space
• Carbon Monoxide is the same as air
• Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air
• Oxygen Deficiency
 Permit
• Written permit filled out by EH&S
• Verifies pre-entry precautions have been
taken and the space is safe to enter
• Posted at entry to confined space
• Specifies apparent hazards and corrective
actions taken prior to entry
• Requires termination of permit when task is
completed or when new conditions exist
 Permit
• Date, location, and name of confined space
• Purpose of entry and known hazards
• Duration of entry permit time
• Authorized entrants, attendants, supervisors
• Air testing results - signature of tester
• Protective measures to be taken
• Ventilation, Isolation, Flushing
• Lockout / Tagout, Purging
 Permit
• Name and phone numbers of rescue and
emergency services
• Communication procedures
• Special equipment and procedures
– Personal protective equipment
– Rescue equipment
– Respirators
 Ventilation
• First option to correct problems
• Must be aware of hazards you are trying to
correct in the confined space
• Continuous ventilation whenever possible
• Retest the confined space before entry
 Isolation
• Locking and tagging out electrical sources
• Blanking and bleeding pneumatic and
hydraulic lines
• Disconnecting mechanical drives and shafts
• Securing mechanical parts
• Blanking sewer and water flow
• Locking and tagging out shutoff valves
 Respirators
• Air-Purifying Respirators
– Filter dangerous substances from the air.
– Must know the type and amount of hazardous substance
present in the confined space.
– NEVER use with oxygen deficiency!
• Air-Supplying Respirators
– Deliver a safe supply of breathing air from a tank or an
uncontaminated area nearby.
– Must be adequately monitored.
 Confined Space Entry
• A means must be provided for both safe
normal entry or exit , and emergency
extrication. Tripods with hoist, lifeline, and
full body harness are often used for
emergency extrication. Ladders may be
used for ordinary entry and exit.
 Confined Space Entry
•Barriers to prevent passers-by and the
curious from falling into the opening must be
put in place
•Holes and openings must be closed or
guarded when not attended
•Place warning signs where pedestrians can
see them
 Confined Space Entry
• Should conditions develop which require
extrication, and the entrant cannot get out of
the confined space on their own, the
attendant must call for emergency
assistance at once
 Confined Space Entry
• The attendant should attempt to remove the
entrant from the confined space using tripods,
hoist, and lifelines. Attendants are NOT TO
ENTER CONFINED SPACES. Lethal
hazards may be present within the confined
space. Only properly equipped and trained
emergency rescue personnel may enter
confined spaces to make rescues.
 Summary of Entry
• Atmosphere is tested
• If problems are found, countermeasures are
taken to eliminate them
• Permit is issued
• If an emergency arises during entry the
attendant should call for emergency
assistance and try to extricate the entrant
 Questions?

• If you have any questions

about confined spaces, please
call EH&S- 575-5448
 Training and Education
• All workers who must enter confined spaces
• All attendants and rescue team members
• Prior to initial work assignment
• Retraining:
• Job duties change
• Change in permit-space program
• New hazards are present